Refreshing Thought of the Day #10 - Helping Others, Helps Us

March 26, 2020

Good Morning Westwood Kehilla Family!

No one knows what G-d wants from us. We do not have prophets to whom we can turn and ask what it would take to end the plague. Every speech you hear from different rabbis will encourage one thing or another. They are all worthy and worthwhile efforts at turning the tide.

Perhaps you were aware, Wednesday, Erev Rosh Chodesh, was declared by many different organizations to be a day of prayer. Many people fasted. People engaged in acts of Chesed. And for many of us it was a day of introspection.

One of the Psalms we recited as a group yesterday was Psalm 41.

The second verse caught my attention:

Praiseworthy is he who looks after the poor;
on a day of calamity the Lord will rescue him.

Many commentaries offer explanations. Who is the poor person mentioned in the verse? What type of calamity is he suffering? And why will Hashem rescue him?

The verse though can be read simply. There will be calamitous or harmful times in history. King David offers advice. Look after the poor. Look after people who need your help. Make sure you are there for the people who need that extra bit of assistance. Some translate the verse as, "Happy is he who is thoughtful of the poor." So, let's make sure we are smart about it.

I encourage you to heed King David's advice. Let's look out for people who need our help, and let's be smart about it.

I encourage everyone to sign up for a special program we have here at the Kehilla. Go to http://www.kehilla.org/helping-hands.html. Even if you yourself need assistance, perhaps there is some way you can be helpful to others as well.

If you think you know someone who needs assistance, please let me know.   
Have a wonderful day!  Chodesh Tov!

Rabbi Avi Stewart